ROOSTER WITH SWOLLEN FACE

[Rhodebar Lover]

Hello, my almost nine month old Buff Brahma boy has a very bruised and swollen half of his face and neck. Is this injury or respiratory infection?? He acts healthy even though he looks pitiful. I heard a small amount of sneezing from the flock the last couple days, but not large amounts or any runny noses or anything. The other thing (which as bad as it sounds, I hope it's this over a respiratory infection) is we have people at our house installing a pool and there were new people today... The chickens typically free range near them and can be very, very friendly and he has bit at my feet a few times, but very minor and as much as petting him stops it. Could some jerk kicking him in the face cause this?? His skin looks bruised, reminds me of a black eye... and it's only his neck and half face. I just feel bad for Cheeto, he's such a great boy and so friendly and handleable. I am very worried about his neck, it looks awful

 

[theoldchick]

Could be frostbite.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Could be frostbite.

I'm from Tennessee and it really hasn't been that cold. Might have been barely below freezing but that's it. Mayyybe low 30s. There have been much colder days and he has been fine and he has a very small pea comb. But thank you for the response! I should have clarified in the post

 

[Liz Birdlover]

Can be respiratory, or infectious bronchitis which gives a puffy eye & head

 

[Myrshine]

That’s a weird place to have swelling. I’ve heard of something called “Swollen Head Syndrome” but I don’t know how common it is and what causes it. 2 other diseases that come to mind could be Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG/CRD) or Infectious Coryza.

Here’s a link for more information about Swollen Head Syndrome: http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/swollen-head-syndrome

All I know about this disease is that it is a virus, it’s not normally found in chickens and more common in turkeys and pheasants. It seems to be rare in chickens.

Here’s information about MG: https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf & https://afarmgirlinthemaking.com/respiratory-conditions-poultry-mycoplasma-in-chickens/

Here’s information about Infectious Coryza: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/infectious-coryza-could-be-a-concern-for-poultry-owners & http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/infectious-coryza

I put an example photo (not my photo) of a chicken with Swollen Head Syndrome. I hope this helps!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Thank you to everyone who has given suggestions!! I am definitely keeping an eye out for any sort of respiratory distress! I was watching him today and I didn't see any respiratory symptoms oddly enough. His swelling is going down too and he looks less "bruised." As disturbing as this is, I am wondering if one of the workers installing the pool kicked him in the face... Absolutely disgusting to think someone would do that, but some people don't see them as pets I guess. Makes me very upset for poor Cheeto's sake though. I'm still not sold on that idea, so I will keep monitoring the flock closely for any symptoms of the diseases mentioned. I will update with more pictures tomorrow to show his improvements!

 

[Myrshine]

Thank you to everyone who has given suggestions!! I am definitely keeping an eye out for any sort of respiratory distress! I was watching him today and I didn't see any respiratory symptoms oddly enough. His swelling is going down too and he looks less "bruised." As disturbing as this is, I am wondering if one of the workers installing the pool kicked him in the face... Absolutely disgusting to think someone would do that, but some people don't see them as pets I guess. Makes me very upset for poor Cheeto's sake though. I'm still not sold on that idea, so I will keep monitoring the flock closely for any symptoms of the diseases mentioned. I will update with more pictures tomorrow to show his improvements!

That’s horrible if the installers did that, I’m glad he’s getting better now though!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

His face is still slightly swollen, but the bruising has faded a bit! Definitely not as bad as before

 

[Painted Calls]

View attachment 2513285View attachment 2513286
His face is still slightly swollen, but the bruising has faded a bit! Definitely not as bad as before

He is so handsome. Glad you're seeing improvements!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

View attachment 2513285View attachment 2513286
His face is still slightly swollen, but the bruising has faded a bit! Definitely not as bad as before

Wow he does look noticeably better. For his health, being hit in the face may be the most ideal situation because at least he isn't sick and at least now we can see improvement. However, I would be horribly upset if someone hurt any of my chickens. I have a rooster, Fancy Feet, and unfortunately he WILL flog. Even so, my roommate kicked him after he flogged her and I was very upset that she kicked him. I've kicked -at- him, but as mean as he is, I don't want to cause him any harm. He only acts that way because he's the bottom rooster.